Remember When a Dress Almost Destroyed Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers?

On the anniversary week of Astaire's death, CR looks back on the gown that almost tore the duo apart

By
Aria Darcella

Jun 21, 2018

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Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were two of classic Hollywood’s biggest stars who rose to fame as dance partners. During the 1930s, they made nine films together and reunited for a tenth in the 1940s. Though they continued to find success as solo stars (with Astaire becoming a dance icon and Rogers winning an Academy Award), the duo are nearly synonymous with one another. Considering their legacy, it’s hard to believe they almost had a falling out over a wardrobe malfunction, of all things.

A still from Top Hat (1935)

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When working on the 1935 movie Top Hat, Rogers insisted on wearing a gown covered with ostrich feathers for a major dance sequence, working with the idea that the embellishments would complement her movements. Unfortunately, she never wore the dress to rehearse, and there wound up being a bit too much movement—to the point that feathers were flying off as she danced. The shedding dress was so distracting to Astaire that he snapped and yelled at Rogers, making her burst into tears.

Luckily, a seamstress was able to reinforce the dress overnight, and the duo were able to get a good take of their dance (although if you look closely enough, you can still see the odd feather floating around them, or on the floor).

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As for Astaire and Rogers, the partners patched things up and were even eventually able to joke about the incident. He gifted her with a gold feather charm for her charm bracelet, and nicknamed her “feathers.” He also later referenced the feathery dress drama in the 1948 film Easter Parade with Judy Garland. Suffice it to say, always plan out your wardrobe before going to work.

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